Auburn Package Store to lose license for a day for selling six-pack to teen in sting

Tuesday

Oct 15, 2013 at 9:42 PM

By Ellie Oleson, CORRESPONDENT

AAUBURN — Selectmen voted unanimously last night to suspend the license of Auburn Package Store at 196 Auburn St. for one day on Sunday, exactly one month after the store failed a police sting.

Police Lt. Jeffrey A. Lourie said an 18-year-old entered all 28 local licensed establishments and tried to purchase beer, and "I'm happy to report all did comply except one." He said the 18-year-old exited Auburn Package Store with a six-pack of beer.

Owner Krishna Patel said video surveillance showed that the seller was a relative of his, and that steps had been taken to make sure there would be no further violations. One change was that anyone thought to be 45 years old or younger would be asked for identification.

Board chairman Doreen M. Goodrich said, "We've had other license holders make it a practice to card everyone — 45 is a good idea, everyone is better." She said she witnessed one local establishment sending an 80-year-old man out to his car to retrieve his license before he could buy alcohol.

Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis hinted at future stings coming to Auburn soon when he announced his department had received a $4,000 grant from the state Executive Office of Public Safety to combat underage drinking. "We will utilize those funds between now and whenever we expend those funds," he said.